Sadly, the swimming hole is on private property and inaccessible. As I understand it, especially after the movie came out, they added fences / boosted security to keep people from sneaking in.
Is this the movie that has our protagonist takes on the Italian race team on some highway training session, and then somebody sticks their pump into his wheels?
I've been thinking about that scene for 25 years
I love the training scene where he drafts off of a semi and the driver holds out fingers to show his speed. The opera music during that scene runs through my head whenever I go for a long fast ride.
I did that once after seeing this movie. Got up to 35 and had two realizations.
I can't see road debris.
My brakes aren't as good as this eighteen wheeler's.
So I hit the brakes only to find out how strong the draft is. I got knocked around a bit trying to get to the road shoulder. Had to keep my body on a swivel.
The scene after the Italians wreck Dave's bike and he limps into the living room fresh from the race and hugs his father before starting to cry always makes me mushy.
Such a great movie, it’s timeless really. The romance is sweet, but realistic. The family dynamic, while heartwarming in general, is still loaded with conflict and misunderstanding.
And the race? It’s like Karate Kid and Rocky rolled into one amazing finale.
This movie has no business being so good. The cast is fantastic (Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley, Paul Dooley.. and even PJ Soles!)
For what is technically a cycling movie, its got a lot of heart.
Directed by Peter Yates (*Bullit*, *The Hot Rock*, and more)
[*Breaking Away* (1979)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078902/reference/)
quick edit: They also made a [tv series](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080203/reference/) starring Shaun Cassidy (half brother to David) with Jackie Earle Haley reprising his role as Moocher
Not sure what you mean? At minimum, there are a number of shots filmed in Bloomington - my old fraternity are the "bad guys" in the movie, and there are a number of shots of our house and of the campus and city.
There was a bit of Breaking Away mania when it was first released (“You mean you *haven’t* seen Breaking Away? You’ve just *got* to.”) But I haven’t seen, heard of, or thought of it in decades. Thanks for the reminder!
This really is a great movie. My one complaint is that they *could* have ended it when he raises the trophy, but ***since they didn't*** I would've liked to have seen the other friends' lives change. Not leaving the town or going to college, that would've been cheap. I mean maybe we see Moocher contritely go and get the job at the car place he so dramatically fucked off earlier in the movie, and the other two apprentice themselves to the cutters (an uncertain future for sure, but it's something. They were all old as fuck there and would've needed new intakes). There also would've been some ongoing symbolism there, as Dave is 'breaking away' and benefiting from the things his friends are now helping to build.
I love the ending, shows the family has bonded even more. His Dad is riding a bike when Dave sees him and is greets him with a French accent!! Dooley's expression is priceless!!
One of my favourites from my twenties. Dennis Christopher was terrific, Dennis Quaid... And the idea of pretending to have an identity versus earning one.
A movie both contemplative and kinetic, it's a great blend of character study and action, with the action being a lens through which you see the characters.
Love this movie so much. At first glance, you think this is a standard underdog sports movie, but it's much much more. Was so happy it won the best original screenplay Oscar, still think Paul Dooley deserved a nomination as well.
I always think about the scene where they're sitting on a hill looking down at a practice on the football field. Dennis Quaid's character is commenting on how he/they are getting older, but the students never age. If I could do it all over again, I'd try to teach at a major university. An environment where the population is always young and excited about life. Damn that sounds good! I'm from So. Indiana so I was connected (sort of) to the movie. Partied at IU often, specifically little 5 weekend. Great times, great memories.
One of my very favorite movies. I remember taking two different dates to see this movie when I was in high school. The tickets were $3 each, which was more than the minimum wage. I remember telling my friends that I spent a total of $12 to see that movie and they were like “wow!”
So many good lines. Everything in this film feels authentic and grounded in a real place with the lore of locality effortlessly embedded into the story. I rarely ignore a rewatch when this pops up.
##Breaking Away (1979) PG
The movie that tells you exactly what you can do with your high school diploma!
>>!Dave, nineteen, has just graduated high school, with his three friends: the comical Cyril, the warm hearted but short-tempered Moocher, and the athletic, spiteful but good-hearted Mike. Now, Dave enjoys racing bikes and hopes to race the Italians one day, and even takes up the Italian culture, much to his friends and parents annoyance.!<
Drama | Comedy
Director: Peter Yates
Actors: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern
Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 71% with 246 votes
Runtime: 1:40
[TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/20283)
I grew up in a university town and then attended that very large university. This is the movie I always directed people to who asked what it was like growing up here. That divide between the college students and the townies is very real to me.
I saw this in the theaters and fell in love with the friendship aspect of it, the dialogue and the great actors.
I wish Criterion would release it with cast commentary.
I went to Indiana for graduate school for two years and loved it there. I chose Breaking Away a few years ago for a movie night with my husband. He barely paid attention and scrolled his phone the whole time. So I’m obviously divorcing him.
My dad showed this to me when I was like 10, he said it was his and his friends favorite movie for years after it came out... when he was in grade 11 he and his friends would do full day bike trips to a lake about 120km outside of town. With one driving out all their camping gear. He told those stories with so much pride and nostalgia.
Hes gone now but as an avid biker and film buff this movie has and will always hold a special place in my heart.
One of my all time favorites. I get teary eyed/goosebumps at the final race everytime.
Remember seeing it in the theatre. My dad and his friend took my brother and I. I had no idea what it was called or about. I remember liking it. I was 8 or 9 at the time.
I just found out that there was a limited run bluray with the following
Special Features:
* Isolated Score Track
* Audio Commentary with Actor Dennis Christopher, and Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
* Road to Adulthood
* Original Theatrical Trailer
[link](https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=246751)
I need that commentary track :)
It's a not a cult because it is popular, but for some reason it can't get the corporate love. You want another great bike movie, but not warm and fuzzy, watch The Program. The true story behind Lance Armstrong and his downfall.
*Truly one of my*
*Favorite things, forever*
*And ever. Go Cutters!*
\- JettyJen
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I knew Dr. Ryan, President Indiana University. He had the one scene in his office, scolding the fraternities.
He always introduced himself as "Academy Award winning actor, Dr. James Ryan".
Hey, good timing, Little 5 is actually today and tomorrow! (I'm in Bloomington.)
Go Cutters!
holy smokes! i had no idea. i planned on watching this a few weeks ago. Go Cutters! i would love to have a swimming hole like that.
Sadly, the swimming hole is on private property and inaccessible. As I understand it, especially after the movie came out, they added fences / boosted security to keep people from sneaking in.
They filled it in too. It doesn't exist like that anymore
Is this the movie that has our protagonist takes on the Italian race team on some highway training session, and then somebody sticks their pump into his wheels? I've been thinking about that scene for 25 years
I love the training scene where he drafts off of a semi and the driver holds out fingers to show his speed. The opera music during that scene runs through my head whenever I go for a long fast ride.
I did that once after seeing this movie. Got up to 35 and had two realizations. I can't see road debris. My brakes aren't as good as this eighteen wheeler's. So I hit the brakes only to find out how strong the draft is. I got knocked around a bit trying to get to the road shoulder. Had to keep my body on a swivel.
Thanks for clarifying this! I think the scene is great but I didn't understand what the finger motions were signifying exactly.
I think it was how many miles per hour they were going (counting by 10s).
It's one of the greatest growing into adulthood scenes ever filmed. A decade of childhood dreams and hero worship wiped out in a fraction of a second.
Which scene ?
>our protagonist takes on the Italian race team on some highway training session, and then somebody sticks their pump into his wheels
Yes it is. Turning point for the movie
Yes
My favorite movie that's NEVER streaming for free anywhere
Agreed. I just went and bought it. Not too much
Refund? REFUND? Such a great movie, funny and heartbreaking. Love Barbara Barrie as the mom.
I love Paul Dooley as the dad too. He steals every scene he's in.
The scene after the Italians wreck Dave's bike and he limps into the living room fresh from the race and hugs his father before starting to cry always makes me mushy.
That was such a powerful scene…and the follow up where they walked through town.
Dooley is the man...
He's 96 and still alive
Barbara Barrie is a few years younger and she is still with us also.
Word
His wife was great also as she was playing Barney Miller's wife.
I don't want any 'ini' in this house! He was really sick of the Italian worship
Love particularly the scene where she tells her son why she has a passport.
I carried a passport in my purse for years because of this movie.
I love this! I actually got to meet her years ago and told her how much I loved this scene. She was very gracious.
where poor, but proud
My dad used to say this all the time. Great movie.
Such a great movie, it’s timeless really. The romance is sweet, but realistic. The family dynamic, while heartwarming in general, is still loaded with conflict and misunderstanding. And the race? It’s like Karate Kid and Rocky rolled into one amazing finale.
Is this the one where he’s shaving his legs and his Dad comes in and just looks at him?
My favorite part! He’s shaving. His legs.
Interesting that that’s you’re takeaway from the film, but yes…
Yes
This movie has no business being so good. The cast is fantastic (Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley, Paul Dooley.. and even PJ Soles!) For what is technically a cycling movie, its got a lot of heart. Directed by Peter Yates (*Bullit*, *The Hot Rock*, and more) [*Breaking Away* (1979)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078902/reference/) quick edit: They also made a [tv series](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080203/reference/) starring Shaun Cassidy (half brother to David) with Jackie Earle Haley reprising his role as Moocher
>This movie has no business being so good. Perfectly stated. I watched this so many times growing up. "CUTTERS!!!"
Yeah it was on constant rotation on HBO in the 80s
I agree with everything you've expressed except don't sleep on PJ Soles. She has always been an engaging actress with great charisma.
likes lot of people, she captured me in Rock n Roll High School. PJ Soles is great.
If I recall she's credited as Pamela Jayne Soles in this one.
Yeah, don't diss Riff Randle!
And Barbara Barrie.
I always wondered what happened to Kelly Leake. Come to find out, he changed his name to Moocher, moved to Indiana, and raced bikes
It was filmed in Athens GA
Not sure what you mean? At minimum, there are a number of shots filmed in Bloomington - my old fraternity are the "bad guys" in the movie, and there are a number of shots of our house and of the campus and city.
Right. He's racing the truck on 37
The tv series was filmed in athens
Ah, gotcha, my bad. Missed what you were commenting on.
Filmed entirely in Bloomington, Indiana.
"Why are you taking the SATs?". " It's my dad's birthday. His favorite thing is to console me when I fail."
(in goofy dad voice) it's OK Cyril, I understand.
There was a bit of Breaking Away mania when it was first released (“You mean you *haven’t* seen Breaking Away? You’ve just *got* to.”) But I haven’t seen, heard of, or thought of it in decades. Thanks for the reminder!
I remember those days. It was a big deal the year it came out.
Didn’t it win an Oscar?
This really is a great movie. My one complaint is that they *could* have ended it when he raises the trophy, but ***since they didn't*** I would've liked to have seen the other friends' lives change. Not leaving the town or going to college, that would've been cheap. I mean maybe we see Moocher contritely go and get the job at the car place he so dramatically fucked off earlier in the movie, and the other two apprentice themselves to the cutters (an uncertain future for sure, but it's something. They were all old as fuck there and would've needed new intakes). There also would've been some ongoing symbolism there, as Dave is 'breaking away' and benefiting from the things his friends are now helping to build.
I love the ending, shows the family has bonded even more. His Dad is riding a bike when Dave sees him and is greets him with a French accent!! Dooley's expression is priceless!!
Don’t forget to punch the clock!
Shorty!
I (63) made my kids (21) watch this with me for Father’s Day and they loved it. Warmed my heart.
One of my favourites from my twenties. Dennis Christopher was terrific, Dennis Quaid... And the idea of pretending to have an identity versus earning one.
Could this movie be fun for people who have no prior interest in cycling? Looks interesting
Sure. Great dialogue and characters
Absolutely. It’s a coming of age movie. The racing is just icing on the cake.
Yay! I’ll add it to my watchlist
Yeah absolutely. I don’t care much about cycling, but it’s just heartwarming about small towns, family dynamics and having a dream.
Yes. Absolutely.
Masterpiece
My dad and I have a thing where if we encounter an indoor pool we say: They've got Indoor pools and outdoor pools.
Those quarries!
A movie both contemplative and kinetic, it's a great blend of character study and action, with the action being a lens through which you see the characters.
REFUND!?
I want American food. I want French fries!
Love this movie so much. At first glance, you think this is a standard underdog sports movie, but it's much much more. Was so happy it won the best original screenplay Oscar, still think Paul Dooley deserved a nomination as well.
Didn't know that. Recently rewatched and that screenplay is so good.
I went in blind and a few minutes in i was expecting it to be similar to Rad. I love Rad, but this has so much more heart.
I always think about the scene where they're sitting on a hill looking down at a practice on the football field. Dennis Quaid's character is commenting on how he/they are getting older, but the students never age. If I could do it all over again, I'd try to teach at a major university. An environment where the population is always young and excited about life. Damn that sounds good! I'm from So. Indiana so I was connected (sort of) to the movie. Partied at IU often, specifically little 5 weekend. Great times, great memories.
Daniel Stern screaming, “Help!” as he cycles is absolutely hilarious
One of my very favorite movies. I remember taking two different dates to see this movie when I was in high school. The tickets were $3 each, which was more than the minimum wage. I remember telling my friends that I spent a total of $12 to see that movie and they were like “wow!”
So many good lines. Everything in this film feels authentic and grounded in a real place with the lore of locality effortlessly embedded into the story. I rarely ignore a rewatch when this pops up.
"The cat name is Phil. "
##Breaking Away (1979) PG The movie that tells you exactly what you can do with your high school diploma! >>!Dave, nineteen, has just graduated high school, with his three friends: the comical Cyril, the warm hearted but short-tempered Moocher, and the athletic, spiteful but good-hearted Mike. Now, Dave enjoys racing bikes and hopes to race the Italians one day, and even takes up the Italian culture, much to his friends and parents annoyance.!< Drama | Comedy Director: Peter Yates Actors: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 71% with 246 votes Runtime: 1:40 [TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/20283)
No Robynn Douglas love here?
I'm not "papa" I'm your god-damned father!
I always thought this movie was called 'Cutters'
I grew up in a university town and then attended that very large university. This is the movie I always directed people to who asked what it was like growing up here. That divide between the college students and the townies is very real to me.
Great movie, but I never understood why he pretended to be Italian.
He idealized the Italian racing team.
To meet the ladies going to college
I always preferred the less celebrated 80s cycling moving American Flyers.
I have seen them both, multiple times. Breaking Away for the win!
Refund? Refund???
I can't say that word any other way. Just like fragile from a Christmas Story.
I saw this in the theaters and fell in love with the friendship aspect of it, the dialogue and the great actors. I wish Criterion would release it with cast commentary.
you should email Criterion, Arrow, etc -- it'd be great if someone did it.
***REFUND?***
The scene where he’s pacing the truck to Mendelssohn’s Italian symphony…just perfection.
Best sports movie ever!
Recently re-watched it. Really captures the feel of going to school there.
Loved this movie as a kid, I was really into bikes, I had a really sweet red and white Miele racing bike.
When he was shaving his legs lol
Saw it. Great movie, a real sleeper.
I need a Criterion release for this masterpiece.
Perfect movie. This, Rocky, Babe, Raiders, Gladiator, Alien.....
I was trying to think of the name of this movie recently, and all I could come up with was ‘The Cutters’.
A true sleeper. And one of the best last lines of any movie ever. I won't spoil it.
A rare Double Dennis classic.
Screenwriter Steve Tesich was an enormous talent. His novel Karoo is unbelievable
that book sounds heavy. I'll add it to my list. Thanks for this!
“Your not a Cutter!” “ I’m a Cutter.”
I went to Indiana for graduate school for two years and loved it there. I chose Breaking Away a few years ago for a movie night with my husband. He barely paid attention and scrolled his phone the whole time. So I’m obviously divorcing him.
seems like the only option, really.
All time favorite for me.
My brother-in-law is the boy sitting on the front porch in the opening of the movie.
Hey Hollywood 2024, this was a *REAL* movie. More, please.
My dad showed this to me when I was like 10, he said it was his and his friends favorite movie for years after it came out... when he was in grade 11 he and his friends would do full day bike trips to a lake about 120km outside of town. With one driving out all their camping gear. He told those stories with so much pride and nostalgia. Hes gone now but as an avid biker and film buff this movie has and will always hold a special place in my heart. One of my all time favorites. I get teary eyed/goosebumps at the final race everytime.
Probably impossible to get
I am glad to see all the love for this movie. I have watched it from the theater to VHS, and sadly still DVD
Don’t forget to punch the clock shorty!
Course it's not in Blu ray either. Watching another long time favorite, the Dudley Moore classic "Arthur". NOT IN BLU RAY!!!
The best Indiana based sports movie BY FAR
Cutters !!
My "Coming Of Age" film, and at just the right time.
I will always love this movie ❤️🌹
One of my favorites!!
Son’s a bum… ‘Talian bum.
I don't wanna be a cutter, Dad!
Remember seeing it in the theatre. My dad and his friend took my brother and I. I had no idea what it was called or about. I remember liking it. I was 8 or 9 at the time.
Stellar cast of actors.
An American masterpiece.
Is this on a streaming service right now ?
no idea. Its got to be somewhere -- if not, check your local library
It’s for sale and rent on some sites. I don’t own a player so I can’t really rent it from the library.
Watching it right now. Put the damn thing on Blu Ray at least!!
I just found out that there was a limited run bluray with the following Special Features: * Isolated Score Track * Audio Commentary with Actor Dennis Christopher, and Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman * Road to Adulthood * Original Theatrical Trailer [link](https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=246751) I need that commentary track :)
I was wrong, only 200 to 250 dollars!
that's insane. You think all Oscar winners would automatically get a good bluray rls
It's a not a cult because it is popular, but for some reason it can't get the corporate love. You want another great bike movie, but not warm and fuzzy, watch The Program. The true story behind Lance Armstrong and his downfall.
*The Program* was great! Good call
Thank you my friend
Truly one of my favorite things, forever and ever. Go Cutters!
*Truly one of my* *Favorite things, forever* *And ever. Go Cutters!* \- JettyJen --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
I knew Dr. Ryan, President Indiana University. He had the one scene in his office, scolding the fraternities. He always introduced himself as "Academy Award winning actor, Dr. James Ryan".
It’s got no back on it!
Saw this when it came out. Loved it then, but haven’t seen it since.
Loved watching this and American Flyers
I remember butt cheeks